Recruitment of Staff for the PMU and Southern Province

A Field Day held in Pothuwapitiya, Koskotagolla and Amunukola in Kurunegala

The Agricultural Field Days, which is a  community-driven event, in Pothuwapitiya, Koskotagolla and Amunukola areas of Kurunegala District in the North Western Province conducted by the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) provides a window into the world of farming, showcasing the dedication, innovation, and hard work that goes into feeding our nations. Attending an Agricultural Field Day is an enriching and enlightening experience. It not only educates and inspires but also highlights the vital role that agriculture plays in sustaining our communities and our country.

Ms. Lathisha P. Liyanage, Additional Secretary (Development), Ms. Dilupa Ambeypitiya, Deputy Director (Development) of the Ministry of Agriculture alone with officers of Department of Agriculture (North Western), Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, Mr. D.M.K. Chandana Dissanayake, Deputy Project Director (North Western Province), subject specialists and officers of the CSIAP have the opportunity to learn about the latest agricultural techniques, technologies, and sustainable practices introduced by the CSIAP. This event offered hands-on opportunities for attendees to immerse themselves in the world of farming and provided a deeper understanding of the hard work and dedication required in the farming profession. Officials visited the tank rehabilitation programme in the area too.

 The Agricultural Field Day is a testament to the resilience and dedication of the agricultural community. It offers a glimpse into the hard work, innovation, and sustainability efforts that shape the future of farming. This event connects people with the source of their food and fosters a deeper appreciation for the agricultural sector.

The CSIAP Empowers Communities with 59 Scientific Cascade Management Plans

 The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) is taking a systematic and scientific approach to enhance the sustainability and productivity of Sri Lanka’s irrigated agricultural systems through the development of 59 Cascade Management Plans (CMPs). These plans are being formulated based on comprehensive assessments of hydrology, geology, geography, livelihoods, and economic linkages within the project’s command areas. By integrating multiple layers of information, CMPs aim to provide a holistic understanding of each cascade’s potential and challenges.

Each CMP considers existing and proposed infrastructure, ecosystem health, cropping patterns in paddy fields and highlands, irrigation management constraints, and interconnections within command areas. This multi-dimensional approach ensures that both agricultural productivity and ecological sustainability are addressed in planning. A new series of maps, developed from this detailed analysis, forms a central part of each cascade profile, enabling evidence-based decision-making and enhancing the precision of interventions across the command areas.

To ensure the successful implementation of these plans, the CSIAP has established 59 Cascade Management Committees (CMCs) in districts including Kurunegala, Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Monaragala, and Hambantota, covering six provinces where the project operates. Each CMC is composed of cascade beneficiaries alongside representatives from relevant government agencies, fostering a collaborative platform to manage the sustainable use of forests, soil, water, and land. These committees are envisioned as local governance structures that not only oversee resource management but also strengthen community participation and ownership in project interventions.

A special meeting was convened yesterday (10th), chaired by Mr. Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, to review the progress in establishing CMCs and the development of CMPs. The meeting was attended by senior officials and experts, including Dr. Sheu Salau, Task Team Leader (TTL) of CSIAP (joining remotely), Mr. Athula Senaratne, Senior Agriculture Specialist, Mr. S. Manoharan, Senior Consultant, Mr. Sarath Wickramaratne, Consultant (World Bank), Ms. Lathisha Liyanage, Additional Secretary (Development), Ms. Renuka Rathnayake, Director (Development), and Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director, along with subject specialists and officers of the CSIAP. 

During the meeting, the first CMP developed for the Babawa Cascade in Hambantota was formally handed over to the Secretary of Agriculture. This milestone highlights the project’s commitment to scientific, data-driven, and participatory planning, establishing a replicable model for cascade-based management across Sri Lanka. By integrating environmental, economic, and social dimensions in each CMP, CSIAP aims to enhance resilience to climate change, improve agricultural productivity, and support sustainable livelihoods for rural communities dependent on irrigated agriculture. Please click Images to see more photos of the event.

Photographs by Nikeshala Kodithuwakku, PMU, CSIAP

Recruitment of 05 Agriculture Facilitators for Northern Province

A two-day refresher residential workshop to reinforce the skills and knowledge

The Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) organized a two-day refresher residential workshop on using the existing account package effectively and efficiently from 20^th to 21^st of this month at the Project Management Unit (PMU). This training was designed to reinforce the skills and knowledge of the CSIAP Staff working in the Account Division in PMU and the CSIAP’s six provincial Offices. The goal of refresher training is to help the CSIAP Staff to maintain their skills and stay current with industry standards and best practices.

 Starting the Training Programme, the CSIAP’s Project Director Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna explained the workshop's objectives and  Mr. T. T. Dhayalan, System Administrator, Soft Vision Technologies (PVT) Ltd conducted the training.

Photographs by Nikeshala kodithuwakku

The 10th NPSC meeting of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project held

 The 10th National Project Steering Committee (NPSC) meeting of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project (CSIAP) led by Mr. Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture was held yesterday  (18th) at the Ministry of Agriculture. The NPSC meeting provides policy guidance to the project and ensures achieving CSIAP’s objectives. The overall project oversight is the responsibility of the NPSC meeting established in the Ministry of Agriculture.  Chief Secretaries of six provinces where the CSIAP is being implemented, Heads of Departments of Implementing Agencies working with the CSIAP, other senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director and  Deputy Project Directors, Subject specialists  of the CSIAP,  the World Bank Task Team, and other government officials joined this meeting.

Photograph by Nikeshala Kodithuwakku, PMU, CSIAP

A special meeting to discuss the progress of the CSIAP held at MoA

A Progress Review Meeting to discuss the  current progress and future activities of the Climate Smart Irrigated Agriculture Project was held at the Minister of Agriculture yesterday (12th). Senior Officials of the ministry and the CSIAP attended this meeting which was chaired by Mr. Gunadasa Samarasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture. The CSIAP team was led by Eng. R.M.B. Rajakaruna, Project Director. Please click Images to more photos of the meeting

Photographs by Nikeshala Kodithuwakku, PMU, CSIAP